Cricket: Bond gets through workout

CENTURION - There was an occasional profanity born of frustration and a surprised Brendon McCullum had to sway outside a rearing short-pitched delivery -- proof Shane Bond appears on track to test South Africa's cricketers from Saturday.

Once the weather cleared and the Black Caps were able to switch from a throw-down indoors to a full-on net session in the sun, all eyes were on the Canterbury paceman's return from a leg injury at SuperSport Park yesterday.

Bond delivered about seven overs, gathering pace and control as he went, to give the inflamed tendon on his right knee a solid workout.

He faces another stern examination tomorrow and Good Friday but his early diagnosis was encouraging.

"It's not too bad, the cortisone jab has had a couple of days to take effect so it was nice to have a bowl," Bond said.

"There was a little achiness there which is probably always going to occur. I'll do the icing stuff and see how I shape up tomorrow."

Bond admitted his tetchiness was not related to the niggle, rather his variable line and length.

"I was only frustrated because I didn't have a great session," he said, confident the rhythm would soon return.

"Obviously I didn't take as much part in the last game (against the Rest of South Africa) as what I wanted to but it's been a long summer at home anyway.

"There was a little bit of rustiness (today) but in terms of bowling I'm completely comfortable in what I'm doing so it won't take too long to get into gear."

Although the Black Caps preparation has been fragmented by inclement weather, Bond echoed the sentiments of the team when expressing optimism at the task ahead.

"We played good cricket against the West Indies while the South Africans are probably the one's looking to turn things around," he said.

South African lost five times in six tests against Australia.

The prospect of medium pacers Styris and Astle getting ball in hand will be determined on Friday when coach John Bracewell names his team.

Styris could be squeezed out by the return of Jacob Oram while Astle's omission from the warm up game surprised the South Africans.

The Proteas train for the first time since reassembling tomorrow with Graeme Smith's cracked ring finger the main bone of contention regarding the home side's line-up.

- NZPA